Jake_Harmon
Moderator
Why the Pride of America Is the Unique Solution for Hawaii Cruising
Let me be straight with you: I've cruised Hawaii five times, and the Pride of America is the only ship in the entire cruise industry that actually solves the inter-island problem. Every other cruise line parks their massive floating resorts in Honolulu and forces you onto long excursions to see the other islands. Not NCL.
The Pride of America is a 2,144-passenger ship that's literally based in Honolulu year-round, and it does something no other cruise line does—it visits a different Hawaiian island every single day. You wake up in Maui, spend the day there, then sail to Kauai. The next day? Big Island. Then Hilo. It's the only continuous inter-island cruise experience in America, and after 40+ cruises, I can tell you this ship fills a gap that existed for decades.
If you've been dreaming of seeing multiple Hawaiian islands without flying between them or spending eight hours on a bus tour, keep reading. I'm going to walk you through exactly what makes this ship work—and where it falls short.
The Itinerary That Changes Everything
The Pride of America operates seven-day round-trip itineraries from Honolulu. Here's what separates it from every other cruise line:
- Day 1: Depart Honolulu in the evening
- Day 2: Full day in Maui (Lahaina or Kahului)
- Day 3: Full day in Kauai (Nawiliwili)
- Day 4: Full day on Big Island (Kona)
- Day 5: Full day on Big Island (Hilo)
- Day 6: Full day back in Maui (Lahaina)
- Day 7: Return to Honolulu
This isn't the "visit one island and watch it from the water" experience. You get full business days at each port—typically 12-16 hours. That means you can actually take a shore excursion, come back to the ship, grab lunch, explore on your own, and still have time to relax before evening.
Compare this to what Royal Caribbean or Carnival offers: they park a 4,000+ passenger ship in Honolulu and you take a tour bus for six hours to see the volcano or a beach. You're back by dinner. On Pride of America, you choose your own adventure at each island.
What I Love About This Ship
The Food Scene Is Surprisingly Strong
NCL's freestyle cruising means no assigned dining, which works perfectly for Hawaii. There are seven specialty restaurants onboard, and here's the insider move: book Cagney's Steakhouse ($39 per person) for your final night at sea. They do an incredible prime rib with local ingredients. The main dining room rotates menus (French, Italian, American), and unlike other ships, they actually source Hawaiian fish when you're docked.
The real gem? Teppanyaki ($25 per person). It's an interactive experience where chefs cook in front of you, and watching them work while you're anchored off Kauai is genuinely memorable. The buffet is your standard cruise fare—nothing special, but it works.
The Cabin Situation Is Reasonable
This ship has 1,072 cabins. The oceanview staterooms on Decks 5-7 are your sweet spot—they're about 160 square feet with balconies, priced around $1,200-$1,800 per person for a seven-day cruise (2026 pricing varies by season). Insider tip: book an aft cabin on Deck 9 if you can find one. The wind is less noticeable, and you get better views of the ports.
The Haven suites exist (around $2,500+ per person), but honestly? This ship doesn't need them. It's not about luxury lounges—it's about the itinerary. Save your money on a standard cabin.
Entertainment Is Solid but Not Exceptional
You get the standard NCL production shows, live bands, comedy (usually mediocre), and trivia. The casino is small—this ship was originally designed for longer itineraries, so it feels a bit dated. There's a decent nightclub, and the swim-against-current pool on Deck 12 is fun, though small.
Honestly? You won't care about onboard entertainment because you'll be exploring islands during the day. That's the whole point.
The Real Challenges You Should Know About
This Ship Is Aging
The Pride of America debuted in 2005. That's 21 years old in 2026. The carpets in some hallways are worn. Cabin bathrooms are tiny—like 35 square feet tiny. The ship had a major refurbishment in 2019, but it shows its age in the details: light fixtures are dated, some stateroom TVs are small, and the overall vibe is "functional" rather than "luxury."
NCL is planning to retire this ship eventually, but there's no timeline yet. For now, manage your expectations. You're not paying for a beautiful ship—you're paying for an itinerary.
The Ports Are Small
Kauai, Hilo, and Kona are working ports, not tourist playgrounds. There are local shops, restaurants, and beaches, but they lack the infrastructure of Honolulu or Maui's Lahaina. This is actually good (fewer cruise tourists), but you need to plan your own activities. Don't expect resort beaches or chain restaurants.
Pro tip: rent a car at each port. Budget $50-$70 per day, and you'll have way more freedom than booking a ship excursion ($150-$200).
Pricing Fluctuates Wildly
Winter sailings (December-March) are expensive—$2,000-$2,500 per person for an oceanview cabin. Summer (June-August) drops to $1,200-$1,600. Book shoulder seasons (April, September, October) for the best value. Prices in 2026 are higher than historical rates due to fuel costs and increased demand for Hawaii cruises.
How This Compares to Flying & Staying in Hotels
Let's do the math. A 7-day inter-island trip usually costs:
Hotel Hopping Model:
- Roundtrip flight from mainland: $400-$600
- Three nights in Maui: $1,500-$2,500
- Three nights on Big Island: $1,500-$2,500
- Inter-island flights: $300-$500
- Car rentals, food, activities: $1,000+
- Total: $5,600-$8,000
Pride of America Cruise:
- Roundtrip flight to Honolulu: $300-$500
- Seven nights (cruise + all meals): $1,400-$2,000
- Activities/excursions: $500-$800
- Total: $2,200-$3,300
The cruise wins on value. Plus, you don't unpack your bags six times.
Who Should Book This Ship—And Who Shouldn't
Book Pride of America if you:
- Want to see multiple Hawaiian islands without flying between them
- Prefer freedom to explore on your own (freestyle cruising)
- Value price over luxury amenities
- Want full days at ports, not quick hits
- Are traveling with kids (good pool areas, safe ports)
- Like to stay in one place at night and explore during the day
Skip this ship if you:
- Want a brand-new, state-of-the-art ship (try Sun Princess or Icon of the Seas)
- Need extensive nightlife and entertainment (board during sea days only—there are none)
- Expect luxury amenities (cabins are functional, not fancy)
- Want to stay in Honolulu and take excursions (Royal Caribbean does that)
- Prefer all-inclusive everything (meals included, but specialty restaurants cost extra)
The Honest Verdict
After five Hawaii cruises, including three on Pride of America, here's my unfiltered take: This ship isn't beautiful, it's not cutting-edge, and it won't wow you with amenities. But it solves a real problem that no other cruise line does.
If you want to experience Hawaii like a local instead of a tourist, and you want to do it on a budget, Pride of America delivers. You'll spend your days on beaches and hiking trails instead of in a dining room or casino. That's the entire appeal.
The ship is a means to an end, and honestly? That's fine. I'll take an aging ship with an incredible itinerary over a brand-new ship stuck in Honolulu every time.
Pricing in 2026: Expect $1,400-$2,500 per person for a seven-day cruise with oceanview cabin (seasonal variation). Book through early May for summer sailings, and October for fall.
If inter-island Hawaii cruising sounds like your dream, it's time to experience this unique ship. Want to connect with other cruisers who've sailed Pride of America? Share your Hawaii cruise plans with our NCL community—there's a ton of local knowledge in those forums.
Next Steps
Ready to book? Our AI concierge at CruiseVoices can help you find the best 2026 sailing, book your cabin, arrange flights to Honolulu, and even set up your excursions. Start planning right now with our NCL community discussions to get insider tips from fellow passengers—then let us handle the booking.